Deep Tissue Massage is used to release chronic patterns of muscular tension using slow strokes, direct pressure, or friction usually on a focused problem area. Often the movements are directed across the grain of the muscles (cross-fibre) using the fingers, thumbs, or elbows. This is applied with greater pressure and at deeper layers of the muscle than Swedish massage and that is why it is called deep tissue. Deep tissue massage is a technique used in sports massage.

Deep doesn't necessarily mean "hard." With the proper technique, muscles deep in the body can be reached with a minimum of pressure.

Deep tissue massage employs the principles of muscular restoration. It works across the muscles manipulating deep tissues, stimulating circulation, and regenerating lymphatic flow. This promote detoxification and oxygenation of stagnant tissues. It is designed to bring fluids into the cells, stimulating changes on a cellular level. Deep tissue massage releases adherent muscle conditions existing in deep layers of muscle and actually corrects damaged muscle tissue.

Deep tissue massage relieves entrapment of nerves, and it also aids in moving out toxins and congestion that may have accumulated in damaged muscles and soft tissue, thereby reducing edema and inflammation, as well as reducing pain. It softens hard fibrous muscle which restricts joint range of motion, thereby "throwing off" the body's proper structural alignment.

Deep tissue massage provides a form of passive exercise for those who have been injured or ill. Combining deep tissue massage with traditional treatments of diseases offers an added edge that can speed recovery and promote maximum improvement where traditional treatments leave off.

Below is just a partial list of ways that deep tissue massage can help with your overall health:

Muscular system
Corrects damaged muscles, softens hard fibrous muscles, separates adherent fibre's, allows nutrients and medicines to reach cellular areas, cleans cells by removing wastes, relieves pain, and relieves congestion and inflammation.

Skin
Improves circulation to the skin, moisturises dry, scaly skin, improves skintone, reduces bed sores, acne and other skin eruptions, and reduces the build-up of cellulite.

Skeletal system
Improves joint range of motion, clears deposits and debris from old bone injuries, restores damaged ligaments and tendons, enhances effectiveness of chiropractic and osteopathic treatment, and improves posture.

Nervous system
Releases trapped nerves in soft tissue, relieves neuromuscular conditions, reduces inflammation and congestion along nerve pathways, and improves conditions resulting from brain injury.

Cardiovascular system
Contributes to the improvement of sclerotic blood vessels, relieves congestion in chest for congestive heart patients, and improves general health so that heart patients can maintain self through exercise.

Lymphatic system
Releases trapped of lymphatic vessels, drains sluggish nodes, and improves integrity of lymphatic blood vessel walls.

Respiratory system
Releases restrictions in breathing muscles, promotes postural improvement which reduces crowding of lungs, and removes old congestion in lung and rib areas.